Danbury boys top Bassick for third straight win

Published 12:01 am, Tuesday, February 25, 2014

DANBURY -- There will be no FCIAC tournament for the Danbury High School boys basketball team -- but there will be a state tournament.

And the Hatters seem to be heating up at just the right time to perhaps make a nice run in that tournament.

After a five-game losing streak doomed Danbury's FCIAC tournament hopes, the Hatters have won three straight, including Monday night's 74-62 triumph over Bassick.

Danbury (9-10 overall, 7-10 FCIAC) has one game remaining -- at Wilton Wednesday night -- and is looking to continue building a head of steam going into states. Every win gives the Hatters a little more momentum, not to mention a better seed in the tournament.

"It's been a roller-coaster season," Danbury coach Casey Bock said. "We've won three games in a row, and hopefully we can see what we can do Wednesday to have some momentum going into the states."

"I just have to work hard and get my team better every day," White said. "We didn't get into FCIACs this year, which was a downfall, but states is a big thought in my mind and I'm just looking to get better every day."

Bassick, meanwhile, was led by Curhone Baldwin's 22 points and Rajohn James' 15. The Lions were without the services of two of their best players -- Kobe Ancrum and Keon Evans -- who were sidelined for what coach Bernie Lofton described as a "minor violation of team rules." The Lions hung tough nonetheless, drawing to within one at 38-37 with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter.

"The guys came out hard, they played hard, and I'm proud of the kids," Lofton said. "They know the dire situation that we're in -- we still need one more win for the states -- and they gave it their all."

A conventional three-point play by Peterson -- one of four for the Hatters in the game -- opened a four-point lead. Danbury closed the third quarter with a 13-1 run to take a commanding 54-38 lead into the final stanza. Kline started that run with a basket, then made a nice pass to Duffy for another basket on the Hatters' next trip up the floor.

Kline was on the receiving end of a nifty behind-the-back pass from White midway through the fourth quarter, one of several dazzling assists for White in the game.

"Danbury was a more mature team than us," Lofton said. "They have eight seniors, and I thought they played well.

"I just thought out immaturity showed. But again, they came out and played with heart. They gave me everything I could ask for."

Bassick needs to win at powerhouse Greenwich on Wednesday in its regular-season finale to get into the state tournament. The future looks bright for the Lions, however, as they will welcome a senior-laden team back next season.